The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : Pressure brings the best out of me, says Sreesanth

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Monday, Jul 17, 2006

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Sport - Cricket

Pressure brings the best out of me, says Sreesanth

Principal Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: On a high after a successful tour to West Indies, Test cricketer S. Sreesanth still cannot forget the golden moment which was the prize wicket of Brian Charles Lara in the second innings of the first Test in Antiuga.

"To dismiss him on his favourite ground where he had made knocks of 400 not out and 375 was a dream come true for me," said Sreesanth on Lara's wicket at the meet the press programme arranged by the Kerala Cricket Association in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday.

Tough tour

"Obviously it was a tough tour. The wickets were flat and it was hard work which ultimately paid. But luck and god's grace were also with me and it was good to be part of the team that won a Test series after 35 years in the West Indies," he said.

Sreesanth said the team management was very helpful and it was its unflinching support which made him forget his opening spell in the Test series when he was carted around by Chris Gayle.

"Chappel sir was very supportive. He came to me during the break and said `I want the real Sree back.' It helped a lot in boosting my confidence," the cricketer said.

Working on his batting

Sreesanth said he was working hard on his batting and was keen to make more contributions with the bat. "At end of the day, I would be happy if my small contributions with the bat makes a difference," he said.

Admitting that he was feeling the heat especially when Balaji and Nehra are fit and raring to go, Sreesanth said that pressure brought the best out of him. "As a Test cricketer there is always pressure to perform, but I enjoy it as it keeps me motivated and focussed," he said.

Pat for KCA

Complementing the KCA, he said the body was moving in the right direction and expressed hope that youngsters in the State would utilise the facilities at the headquarters to improve their game.

Sreesanth also had a word of advice for the youngsters in the State. He wanted them to aim high and not to rest on their laurels. "They should come out of their comfort zones. A youngster playing in the under-13 level should aim to get into the under-15 Indian team. For that he should be dedicated and should work hard," he said.

Saying that there were a few talented players from the State who could have played for the country before him, Sreesanth hoped that at least two or three Kerala cricketers would break into the Indian team in the next two years and also hoped that Kerala would make it to the Elite Group in Ranji Trophy this season.

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